Carcinogens found far from Map Ta Phut
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
An investigation team looking into the prevalence of cancer in communities near Rayong's Map Ta Phut industrial estate were surprised to find high levels of a cancer-causing substance in urine samples from residents of neighbouring Chanthaburi province. The Disease Control Department in January collected 469 urine samples from Chanthaburi residents and found that 21 of them contained excessive levels of t,t-muconic, an important indicator of exposure to benzene.
''The finding took us by surprise as we never expected that people living far away from the industrial estate would have high levels of the toxic substance in their bodies,'' said environmental expert Prinya Nutalai, who heads the investigation team.
His team would urgently find out the source of the benzene exposure, he added.
The department last year conducted health check-ups for over 2,000 villagers living in 25 communities adjacent to the Map Ta Phut industrial estate and found 91 samples with high levels of the carcinogenic benzene.
Mr Prinya said the investigation team was considering whether it should expand the scope of the study on the relation between industrial activities and cancer rates to Chanthaburi.
Mr Prinya's team was set up last year by the National Environment Board to find out the relationship between cancer occurrence and pollution in Rayong's Map Ta Phut district. The study will cover a period of five years.
Nalinee Sripaung, a researcher from the Department of Disease Control, said the discovery of high benzene levels in 21 Chanthaburi villagers was alarming.
''The finding is beyond our expectations,'' said Ms Nalinee.
''Although the figure is relatively small, concerned agencies must not overlook it.
''Even if there is only one case with a high level of a carcinogenic substance, we must seriously look into it.''
She added: ''I think members of the community at risk of industrial pollution should be alerted that they are prone to cancer, while authorities should find out the source of the toxic exposure.''
Ms Nalinee said benzene, or benzol, is also found in areas where traffic congestion is bad or there is heavy use of pesticides.
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